If you’re still chasing Google’s shrinking pool of informational searches, you’re already behind.
AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity have changed how people discover information. ChatGPT alone processes 2.5 billion queries every single day. Perplexity? Another 780 million searches per month. And that’s not even counting Google’s own SGE (Search Generative Experience), which is rapidly deploying AI-summarised answers right on the SERP.
And here’s the kicker:
95% of websites don’t show up in AI results or Google.
So if your content isn’t built for AI visibility, you’re losing traffic, leads, and growth. The AI reality means we must shift from trying to rank for a keyword to becoming the content that answers the question so definitively that an AI model is forced to quote us.
At CantyDigital, we’ve rebuilt our SEO playbook for 2026—and it’s already outperforming old-school SEO tactics.
Below is the 6-part framework we use to future-proof our clients’ visibility in both Google and AI search engines.
1. Engineer Your Content to Get Quoted by AI
AI models don’t pull random blog posts. They reference:
- Clear H2/H3 hierarchy
- First-party data and original research
- Specific, sourced statistics
- Standalone answer blocks that AI can quote directly
According to Semrush, content with concrete statistics gets referenced far more than generic advice.
Old way:
“Many businesses struggle with email marketing.”
New way:
“Email marketing returns $42 for every $1 spent, according to Litmus 2024.”
This isn’t just better writing—it’s the kind of structured, fact-backed content AI chooses to cite. We call this practice “Citation Engineering.” It means optimising for a snippet of information, not the entire page.
2. Embed Conversions, Don’t Hide Them
The days of “Write a blog and slap a CTA at the bottom” are dead.
AI now eats a massive chunk of informational searches—which means every visitor you get is more valuable. You need to monetise them while they’re still on the page.
Embed:
- Product recommendations inline
- Lead capture forms inside the content (e.g., a relevant, gated checklist or template pop-up after the 50% scroll mark)
- Comparison tables with buy/request links
- Tools, calculators, quizzes, or interactive blocks (e.g., a “ROI Calculator” embedded in a financial article)
Make actions effortless. Don’t force users to scroll, hunt, or click away. The goal is a zero-friction path to conversion. This also improves the crucial metric of Time on Page, signalling high quality to Google.
3. Target the Why, Not Merely the Who
AI personalisation doesn’t care about generic groups like “women aged 30–40 in Melbourne.” The new-school SEO focuses more on the why of the search, not merely on the who (age/location).
Instead of focusing too much on demographics, segment target users by:
- Buying motivations: Trend-driven vs research-driven
- Research depth: DIY learners vs quick-answer seekers
- Content habits: Video-first vs text-first
Persona-driven marketing consistently produces 14% higher CTR and 10% higher conversion rates.
Write for intent, not age brackets.
4. Prove Expertise with Topic Clusters
Topical authority is now one of the strongest signals for ranking in both Google and AI platforms. Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) criteria is the roadmap, and a deep topic cluster is the best way to prove E-E-A-T.
A functioning topic cluster includes:
- One high-quality pillar page
- 5–10 supporting blogs
- Internal links connecting every piece (Pro tip: Focus on contextual internal links, where the anchor text is highly relevant to the destination page, signalling a clear information map to both users and algorithms.)
But here’s the twist for 2026:
Optimise clusters for conversational queries.
People ask AI questions like:
- “What’s the best way to renovate a Victorian terrace?”
- “How do I fix early-stage rust after a car accident?”
Write as if you’re answering an actual human—not stuffing in “keyword + location.” The supporting content in your cluster should address the specific, long-tail pain points derived from these conversational searches. This is where you outmaneuver the generic AI summary.
5. Publish Content Weeks Before Peak Demand
Most businesses have seasonal demand spikes… and most ignore them. This isn’t just about Christmas or Black Friday; it’s also about the micro-seasons within your industry. For B2B, it could be budget approval cycles (Q4/Q1).
Track:
- When search volume spikes
- Quarterly content performance
- When Google Discover picks up your posts
Then publish 2–3 weeks BEFORE the spike.
For B2C products, publishing 6-8 weeks ahead of the transactional peak is even more ideal to capture pre-purchase research traffic.
With this strategy, you give your content time to index, gain traction, and position itself before competitors even notice the trend.
You’ll get:
- Fresh relevance signals
- Discover visibility
- Ranking momentum at peak demand
This is one of the easiest wins for 2026 SEO.
6. Create Data & Authority Assets AI Can’t Ignore
Generic content loses to AI summaries every single time. AI is a synthesiser, not a creator. It can only quote what already exists, so always remember:
Original research wins.
Every. Single. Time.
Publish:
- Surveys
- Proprietary data
- Industry benchmarks
- Localised reports
- Cost guides backed by real numbers
- Case studies with quantified, verifiable outcomes
These become evergreen citation magnets because:
- AI prefers unique data
- Journalists love sourcing original stats
- Your brand becomes the recognised authority
This is how you future-proof your traffic.
The Bottom Line: AI Didn’t Kill SEO—It Killed Lazy Content
If your SEO strategy is still “Publish blogs and hope for Google traffic,” you will disappear.
The new SEO model is built around:
- AI-optimised content structure
- In-content monetisation
- Psychographic targeting
- Topic clusters with conversational intent
- Seasonal publishing cycles
- Original research and data ownership
SEO isn’t dead—it just evolved faster than most marketers.
If you want visibility in 2026 and beyond, stop writing for algorithms and start writing for how people actually behave inside AI search tools.
Let’s Work on Your 2026 SEO Strategy
Want this implemented for your business?
CantyDigital can help rebuild your SEO strategy for the AI era—without the fluff, guesswork, or outdated tactics.
👉 Book a strategy call
👉 Get an AI-ready SEO audit
👉 See how we optimise content for AI engines + Google
